USF Bulls notes: Taggart says QB situation is good

TAMPA — When University of South Florida coach Willie Taggart held his opening-week news conference to discuss Saturday night’s game against Western Carolina, not one question was about sophomore QB Mike White. Perhaps that’s a reflection on the confidence White has inspired.

“I think everybody feels good because we have a quarterback going into the season,” Taggart said Thursday. “Last year, we didn’t have that. We didn’t have a lot of things.

“People are more comfortable with it because he has had a whole year in the system. That’s true for a lot of guys on our team. You expect for Year 2 to be better, and he has some weapons to throw the ball to as well.”

Last season, USF utilized four different starting quarterbacks, but Taggart said he doesn’t anticipate a revolving door.

When asked if there might be some packages designed to spotlight the mobility of junior QB Steven Bench, Taggart said, “Mike White is our starting quarterback and we’re going to go with him. We’re not in the situation we were in last year. Steven is going to be ready for his opportunity when it comes, however it comes.”